BEACON OF LIGHT SCHOOL
WELCOME TO
BEACON OF LIGHT SCHOOL
a member of the Laidlaw Schools Trust
LEARN MORE DO MORE BE MORE
A WELCOME MESSAGE BEACON OF LIGHT SCHOOL
From the Principal
As an established Alternative Provision in Sunderland, we are fully looking forward to continuing the growth of the Beacon of Light School within Laidlaw Schools Trust. Our shared vision and values in creating a brighter future for all young people in our care makes this partnership an excellent fit for both school and Trust. We are confident this collaboration will bring new and exciting possibilities to further develop our offer and ensure enhanced life chances for all.
A MEMBER OF THE LAIDLAW SCHOOLS TRUST
Welcome to the Beacon of Light School – a place where education and opportunity light the way to a brighter future. At the heart of everything we do are our students, and we are deeply committed to laying strong foundations for their future success through valuesdriven, personalised education.
We recognise and celebrate each young person as an individual, providing carefully tailored, inspiring, and authentic learning experiences that nurture talent, build character, and support personal growth. Our dedicated team of qualified teachers deliver bespoke educational pathways designed to meet the unique needs of every learner, especially those who face additional challenges. As part of the Laidlaw Schools Trust, and inspired by the powerful values of Sunderland Football Club, we encourage all students to aim high, develop confidence, and foster a strong sense of self-belief. Our vision – ‘Learn More, Do More, Be More’ –reflects our commitment to ensuring that every student has access to greater opportunities through collaboration, innovation, and high-quality teaching.
We provide a safe, inclusive, and nurturing environment where all students are empowered to flourish, take pride in their achievements, and strive to be the very best they can be. By investing in our young people today, we are shaping a brighter, more ambitious future for tomorrow.
Denise Taylor, Principal at the Beacon of Light School
AN EXCITING WORLD OF LEARNING
Everyone is welcome here at the Beacon of Light School whatever their background, religion or culture. We celebrate being part of such a vibrant and diverse community and have developed a curriculum that reflects this.
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT CURRICULUM INTERVENTIONS AND
OUR INTENTIONS
NHS HEALTHY HEADS
A Mental Health Support Service providing early, evidence-based interventions to support emotional well-being and mental health in young people.
CAMHS 1:1 (SUNDERLAND COUNSELLING SERVICES)
Individual mental health support for young people on the CAMHS waiting list, reducing delays and tailoring care to their specific needs.
PREPARATION FOR ADULTHOOD LESSONS
Focused on education, employment, independent living, community involvement, and health to help students transition smoothly into adult life.
SEMH LESSONS
Personalised sessions addressing social, emotional, and mental health needs, promoting coping strategies and readiness for life beyond school.
READING, COMPREHENSION, TRANSCRIPTION & SPELLING SUPPORT
Targeted literacy interventions to help struggling students improve decoding, fluency, comprehension, transcription, and spelling skills, enabling better curriculum access.
SPEAK UP (NATIONAL THEATRE)
Empowers students to express themselves creatively on issues that matter to them through collaboration with artists, teachers, and community organisations.
SUMMER SCHOOL PROGRAMME
Provides structured, engaging activities during the summer break to maintain a positive school connection and ease the transition back in September.
POST-16 SUMMER TRANSITION PROGRAMME
Ongoing Y11 support over the summer to build confidence and guide students into further education, training, or employment.
SKILLS BUILDER PROGRAMME
The Skills Builder Framework is used to measure and build essential skills in every student which will support them achieve a successful life in and beyond school.
It breaks the 8 essential skills (listening, speaking, problem solving, creativity, staying positive, aiming high, leadership and teamwork) into a sequence of steps, starting with absolute beginner through to mastery.
ART THERAPY
To enhance students' emotional wellbeing, facilitate positive self-expression,
RESILIENCE GROUP SESSIONS
To equip students with the skills and knowledge to navigate challenges, manage emotions, and build positive relationships, ultimately fostering their well-being and academic success.
PREMIER LEAGUE INSPIRES PROGRAMME
To use the power of football to inspire young people aged 11-18 to develop personal skills, positive attitudes, and aspirations needed for success in life, focusing on areas like wellbeing, character, and life skills.
To promote a more inclusive society by empowering individuals through and challenge prejudice and systemic
Commissioner's Violence Reduction Unit, aims to provide targeted youth work and positive intervention to keep young people away from a life of crime, offering opportunities that promote positive
AT THE BEACON OF LIGHT SEND
We are committed to meeting the diverse needs of all students through inclusive, personalised support. Our SEND provision ensures that every learner can access the curriculum and receive targeted interventions to support their academic, emotional, and social development.
TERMLY SEND SUPPORT PLAN REVIEWS
Regular reviews ensure each student has an effective support plan, with tailored strategies and provision to meet their individual needs.
EXAM CONCESSION TESTING
Identifies access arrangements for eligible students, ensuring these become part of their normal way of working in school and formal assessments.
CYPS REFERRALS
Facilitates access to appropriate mental health services or the diagnostic pathway to ensure timely support.
CAMHS REFERRALS
Enables access to specialist mental health services at the appropriate tier of support for individual student needs.
EHCP REFERRALS
Requests statutory assessments to ensure students’ SEND needs are fully identified and met through a formal Education, Health and Care Plan.
EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGIST
Provides in-depth assessments of learning and behavioural needs, offering strategies to support students effectively in school.
SPEECH & LANGUAGE SUPPORT
Assesses communication needs and delivers recommendations to improve speech, language, and interaction both in and beyond the classroom.
SENSORY WORX
Assesses sensory processing needs and provides a personalised sensory diet to support regulation and learning.
REFERRALS TO LOCAL AUTHORITY SEND SUPPORT TEAMS
Connects students with targeted, specialist interventions and guidance from local authority services to enhance provision.
BRAIN BREAKS
Incorporates short sensory, movement, or emotional regulation activities to help students stay engaged and ready to learn throughout the day.